RAF Fairford suspects released on bail, head of counter-terror police says
Five British men arrested on suspicion of terror offences near RAF Fairford have been released on bail as police continue investigating multiple lines of inquiry, including a possible foreign link. The arrests were made after three vans were found near the airbase used by US military. No explosives were found in the vans. The head of counter-terror police, Laurence Taylor, said the men are still under investigation.
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- ✓ The five men arrested near RAF Fairford have been released on bail.
- ✓ No explosives were found in the three vans searched near RAF Fairford.
- ✓ The men were arrested on suspicion of explosives offences and terrorism.
- ✓ Laurence Taylor, head of UK counter-terrorism policing, said investigators are keeping an open mind as to any motivation.
What changed
The five suspects were released on bail as police continue their investigation.
Live updates
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RAF Fairford terror plot suspects released on bail
Five British men arrested on suspicion of terror offences near RAF Fairford have been released on bail as police continue investigating multiple lines of inquiry, including a possible foreign link. The arrests were made after three vans were found near the airbase used by US military. No explosives were found in the vans. The head of counter-terror police, Laurence Taylor, said the men are still under investigation.
Why it matters
The incident has raised security concerns and is being probed for possible links to Iran. RAF Fairford is used by US bombers to launch air strikes against Iran. The UK government believes foreign actors may have been involved.
What is confirmed
- The five men arrested near RAF Fairford have been released on bail.
- No explosives were found in the three vans searched near RAF Fairford.
- The men were arrested on suspicion of explosives offences and terrorism.
- Laurence Taylor, head of UK counter-terrorism policing, said investigators are keeping an open mind as to any motivation.
- The UK government believes foreign actors may have been involved in the incident.
Still unconfirmed
- Iran played a part in the incident near RAF Fairford base used by U.S. forces, according to UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham.
- US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said a foreign actor was 'clearly' behind the suspected RAF Fairford plot.
What to watch next
- Further investigation results
- Possible charges against the suspects
- UK government response to the incident
confidence 90%Sources used for this update (18)
- BBC — Men held in major incident near RAF base as homes evacuated
- Reuters — UK counter-terror police question five men held at airbase used by US to attack Iran
- The New York Times — Possible Terror Plot at U.K. Air Base Used by U.S. Raises Security Concerns
- wsj.com — U.K. Probes Possible Iran Link to Suspected Terror Plot at Base Hosting U.S. Forces
- www.bbc.com — RAF Fairford suspects released on bail, head of counter-terror police says
- Axios — What to know about RAF terror plot arrests and possible Iran link
- WSJ — The U.K. Village Rattled by an Alleged Terror Plot Near a U.S. Air Base
- The National Interest — British Police Foil Suspected Bomb Plot Against RAF Airbase
- The New York Times — UK Villages That Host US Bombers Are Abuzz Over Possible Terrorist Plot
- www.theguardian.com — No explosives found in three vans searched near RAF Fairford, say police | UK news
- www.yahoo.com — RAF Fairford suspect 'called police before local farmer', according to reports
- www.mirror.co.uk — Andy Burnham says 'strong indications Iran played a part' in RAF Fairford 'terror plot'
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